Der Anaesthesist
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Review Meta Analysis
[Estimation of substitution volume after burn trauma. Systematic review of published formulae].
Fluid resuscitation after severe burns remains a challenging task particularly in the preclinical and early clinical phases. To facilitate volume substitution after burn trauma several formulae have been published and evaluated, nevertheless, the optimal formula has not yet been identified. ⋯ The identified formulae led to sometimes strikingly diverse calculations of resuscitation fluid volumes. Therefore their use should be monitored closely and clinical values included. Urine output is a well established individual parameter. Use of colloid and hypertonic solutions leads to a reduced total fluid volume but is still controversially discussed.
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With increasing demands for blood transfusions, the costs and shortages, clinically relevant risks and doubts on the efficacy, blood conservation is an important issues. Among the available methods cell salvage is of great importance as it has proven effective and safe. The high availability and cost efficacy allows fast processing of at least half of the lost red blood cells. ⋯ Cell salvage provides autologous, washed, unstored red blood cells with unimpaired function and viability, avoiding immunological reactions and storage damage, for optimal hemotherapy. No restrictions in the indication for transfusion are necessary, thus allowing real therapy of anemia. The high quality of salvaged blood should be assured by a quality management including quality controls.
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Oxygen (O(2)) is the most frequently used pharmaceutical in anesthesiology and intensive care medicine: Every patient receives O(2) during surgery or during a stay in the intensive care unit. Hypoxia and hypoxemia of various origins are the most typical indications which are mentioned in the prescribing information of O(2): the goal of the administration of O(2) is either an increase of arterial O(2) partial pressure in order to treat hypoxia, or an increase of arterial O(2) content in order to treat hypoxemia. Most of the indications for O(2) administration were developed in former times and have seldom been questioned from that time on as the short-term side-effects of O(2) are usually considered to be of minor importance. ⋯ However, there is an emerging body of evidence that specific side-effects of O(2) result in a deterioration of the microcirculation. The administration of O(2) induces arteriolar constriction which will initiate a decline of regional O(2) delivery and subsequently a decline of tissue oxygenation. The aim of the manuscript presented is to discuss the significance of O(2) as a pharmaceutical in the clinical setting.
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Ultrasound imaging has attained great significance as a tool for diagnostics in emergency and intensive care medicine. The major advantages of this technique are its instantaneous bedside availability and the possibility to perform repeatable examinations. These advantages are based on recent developments, such as portable ultrasound devices offering excellent imaging quality as well as a quick-start-function. ⋯ The goal is to classify the patient's present physical state and to define a targeted therapeutic approach. The characteristics of whole-body sonography are similar to the field of anesthesiology which is an interdisciplinary one. Currently, these characteristics deserve more attention in training in sonography.
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Burn injuries represent a severe form of acute pain. In spite of improvements in wound treatment and pain regimens during recent years, the management of burn pain still remains a common problem and a tremendous challenge for clinical staff. ⋯ A standardized continuous pain assessment and documentation are a cornerstone of burn pain control. In addition to pharmacological methods non-pharmacological procedures can play an important role and should be started early during burn patient therapy.